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These Vegan Caramel Apples are the ultimate fall dessert to enjoy with friends and family. They’re dipped in our sweet, buttery vegan caramel and then rolled in crushed peanuts for the perfect finishing touch. All you need is 6 simple ingredients!
Caramel apples were a classic Halloween treat growing up, so it’s about time we add our own vegan-friendly version to the blog. If you’re throwing a Halloween party and are looking for more recipes to add to your spread, you can’t go wrong with Apple Monster Mouths, Halloween Edible Eyeballs, and homemade vegan candy bars like Take 5 Bars, Vegan Snickers Bars, and Vegan Mars Bars.
Table of Contents
Is caramel vegan?
Traditional caramel recipes are typically not vegan because they are often made with butter and heavy cream, both of which are derived from dairy. Luckily, making your own vegan at home with a few simple swaps is not only easy, but just as good. The distinction between the two is so small in fact, chances are your guests won’t notice the difference!
For more delicious vegan caramel recipes that are ideal for drizzling, be sure to check out our Date Caramel, Classic Vegan Caramel and Mango Caramel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Granny smith apples: We find the combination of tart, granny smith apples, and the sweet vegan caramel sauce to be the best balance of flavor. However, any apples will do when making vegan caramel apples so use your favorite or what you already have.
- Brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar gives this vegan caramel sauce a deep, rich color and hints of toffee and caramel. For best results, opt for dark brown sugar but light brown sugar will also work!
- Light corn syrup: Adding an additional sugar like light corn syrup prevents the sugar from crystallizing and keeps the vegan caramel smooth and silky.
- Vegan butter: Vegan butter enhances the flavor and texture by adding both fat and a bit of saltiness. If necessary, opt for using coconut oil.
- Coconut milk: Coconut milk is the perfect vegan substitute for heavy cream and adds saturated fat to the vegan caramel sauce, making it rich and creamy.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, but highly recommended for the best flavored caramel. Either pure or imitation vanilla extract will work well.
- Salt: A sprinkle of salt helps balance the sweetness in the caramel. If using coconut oil, you may want to use a bit more than the recommended ½ teaspoon to replace the saltiness in vegan butter.
- Chopped peanuts: An absolute classic topping to coat vegan caramel apples in. Feel free to use all chopped peanuts or a variety of different toppings. Check out our list of ideas below!
Additional topping ideas
- Mini chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- Chopped pecans or almonds
- Dairy-free M&Ms
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed Oreos
- Crushed chocolate crunch bars
- Almond Butter Granola
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Popsicle sticks or Cake pop sticks
- Small saucepan
- Silicone spatula
- Candy thermometer
How to Make Vegan Caramel Apples
- Prep the apples. Insert the popsicle sticks into the core of each washed apple. Place the apples in the fridge while you make the caramel.
- Make the caramel. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the brown sugar, corn syrup, vegan butter, and coconut milk until the butter has melted. Once the mixture is homogeneous, stop stirring and slowly bring it to a boil.
- Bring the caramel sauce to 240 F. Attach a candy thermometer to your pot and continue cooking until it reaches 240 F (the soft-ball stage). This should take about 15 minutes.
- Cool the caramel. Remove the vegan caramel from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Set aside for 7-8 minutes or until the caramel is thick enough to coat the apples.
- Dip the apples. Once the caramel is thick enough, remove the apples from the fridge and dip the apples one by one into the caramel. Allow any excess caramel to drip off, then either place the vegan caramel apples on the parchment paper or immediately roll them in your desired toppings.
- Set the apples. Allow the caramel apples to set at room temperature until the caramel is completely set, about 30 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, caramel apples dipped in crushed peanuts are 100% gluten-free. If you are gluten intolerant or serving gluten-free guests, avoid toppings that contain wheat, like crushed Oreos or vegan graham crackers.
These vegan caramel apples can technically be frozen, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Fresh, whole apples have a high water content, and freezing them would greatly change their texture and consistency.
Definitely, although it is best to prepare these apples as close to serving as possible, they can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge.
Top Tips
- Scrub the apples. Most store-bought apples are coated in a thin layer of wax to improve their appearance and preserve freshness. This will inhibit the caramel from sticking to the apples, so it is important to wash the apples thoroughly. Note that washing for too long in hot water may discolor the apples but will not affect the taste of your vegan caramel apples. You can dip the apples entirely in caramel if you want to hide discoloration.
- Use a candy thermometer. Without one, it is difficult to tell if the caramel has reached the correct temperature. If the caramel is not hot enough, it will not thicken up and won’t stick to the apples. If the caramel is too hot, it will become too thick and hard, making it difficult to dip the apples into.
Storage Instructions
Enjoy vegan caramel apples immediately, or store the apples in the fridge for up to 1 week. To prevent sticking, place them in a Tupperware lined with parchment paper.
More Easy Vegan Dessert Recipes You May Enjoy:
Vegan Caramel Apple Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 apples
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Caramel Apples are the ultimate fall dessert to enjoy with friends and family. They’re dipped in our sweet, buttery vegan caramel and then rolled in crushed peanuts for the perfect finishing touch. All you need is 6 simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- 8 granny smith apples
- 2 cups (420 g) brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup (½ stick) vegan butter
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1½ cups of chopped peanuts or topping of your choice
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Popsicle sticks or Cake pop sticks
- Small saucepan
- Silicone spatula
- Candy thermometer
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash your apples thoroughly in hot water and wipe them dry with a clean towel.
- Place the washed apples on the baking sheet and stick a popsicle stick or cake pop stick into the core of each apple.
- Put the baking sheet and apples in the fridge while you make the caramel.
- Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, vegan butter, and coconut milk to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir with a silicon or wooden spatula until the vegan butter is melted and the mixture is homogeneous. At this point, stop stirring. The mixture should begin bubbling.
- Attach a candy thermometer to your pot. Allow the caramel to cook until it reaches 240 F, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Allow the caramel to cool for about 8-15 minutes or until it is thick enough to coat the apples.
- Once the caramel is thick enough, remove the apples from the fridge and dip the apples one by one into the caramel.
A. If not using toppings, allow excess caramel to drip off the apple, then place it on the parchment paper.
B. If using toppings, allow any excess caramel to drip off the apple and then roll it in the topping(s) of your choice. Then, place it on parchment paper. - Repeat for all your apples.
- Allow the caramel apples to cool at room temperature until the caramel is completely set, about 30 minutes. If not enjoying immediately, store the apples in the fridge.
- Even when set, the caramel might stick to surfaces, so wrap them in parchment paper or place them in a Tupperware lined with parchment paper.
Notes
- If you have extra caramel, making caramel candies is easy and requires no extra cooking. Learn how here.
- The tartness of granny smith apples works well with the caramel, but you can use any apples!
- Many store-bought apples have a thin layer of wax on the outside. This will inhibit the caramel from sticking to the apples, so it is important to wash them thoroughly. Note that washing for too long in hot water may discolor the apples but will not affect the taste. If you want to hide any discoloration, you can cover the entire apple in caramel.
- The caramel will take roughly 15 minutes to reach 240 F, but every stove differs. Making this recipe without a candy thermometer is not recommended, but if you’d like to check when your caramel is ready, you can use the ice water test. Place a bowl or glass of ice water next to the stove. Drop some caramel into the ice water and let it sit for a few seconds. Form the caramel into a ball with your fingertips. If it forms a soft and flexible ball, your caramel is ready. If it is still liquid, cook further and test again in a minute. You’ve cooked it for too long if it forms a hard ball. This method is not exact, so it is best to use a thermometer!
- Use a candy thermometer. Without one, it is difficult to tell if the caramel has reached the correct temperature. If the caramel is not hot enough, it will not thicken up and won’t stick to the apples. If the caramel is too hot, it will become too thick and hard, making it difficult to dip the apples into.
- Enjoy vegan caramel apples immediately, or store the apples in the fridge for up to 1 week. To prevent sticking, place them in a Tupperware lined with parchment paper.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
